We recently had a few
questions regarding how to handle a mercury spill. We hope that the following
instructions will help you if you have that kind of spill in your practice.
Steps to Clean Up:
(1) Put on
rubber, nitrile, or latex gloves.
(2) If there are
any broken pieces of glass or sharp objects, pick them up with care. Place all
broken objects on a paper towel. Fold the paper towel and place it in a zip lock
bag. Secure the bag and label it as directed by your local health or fire department.
(3) Locate
visible mercury beads. Use a squeegee or cardboard to gather mercury beads. Use
slow sweeping motions to keep mercury from becoming uncontrollable. Take a
flashlight, hold it at a low angle close to the floor in a darkened room and
look for additional glistening beads of mercury that may be sticking to the
surface or in small, cracked areas of the surface. Note: Mercury can move
surprising distances on hard-flat surfaces, so be sure to inspect the entire
room when "searching".
(4) Use the eyedropper to collect or draw up the mercury beads. Slowly and carefully squeeze mercury onto a damp paper towel. Place the paper towel in a zip lock bag and secure it. Make sure to label the bag as directed by your local health or fire department.
(5) After you
remove larger beads, put shaving cream on top of a small paintbrush, and gently
"dot" the affected area to pick up smaller hard-to-see beads. Alternatively,
use duct tape to collect smaller hard-to-see beads. Place the paintbrush or
duct tape in a zip lock bag and secure. Make sure to label the bag as directed
by your local health or fire department.
(6) OPTIONAL
STEP: It is OPTIONAL to use commercially available powdered sulfur to absorb
the beads that are too small to see. The sulfur does two things: (1) it makes
the mercury easier to see since there may be a color change from yellow to
brown; and (2) it binds the mercury so that it can be easily removed and
suppresses the vapor of any missing mercury.
Where
to get commercialized sulfur? It may be supplied as mercury vapor absorbent in
mercury spill kits, which can be purchased from laboratory, chemical supply,
and hazardous materials response supply manufacturers. Note: Powdered
sulfur may stain fabrics a dark color. When using powdered sulfur, do not
breathe in the powder as it can be moderately toxic. Additionally, users should
read and understand product information before use.
(7) If you
choose not to use this option, you may want to request the services of a
contractor who has monitoring equipment to screen for mercury vapors. Consult
your local environmental or health agency to inquire about contractors in your
area. Place all materials used with the cleanup, including gloves, in a trash
bag. Place all mercury beads and objects into the trash bag. Secure the trash bag
and label it as directed by your local health or fire department.
(8) Contact your
local health department, municipal waste authority, or your local fire
department for proper disposal in accordance with local, state, and federal laws.
(9) Remember to
keep the area well ventilated to the outside (i.e., windows open and fans in
exterior windows running) for at least 24 hours after your successful cleanup.
Continue to keep pets and children out of the cleanup area. If sickness occurs,
seek medical attention immediately.
Recommendation: If there are young children or pregnant women
in the house or office, seek additional advice from your local or state health
or state
environmental agency.